Comment period extended on road plan

ELKO -- The U.S. Forest Service has extended the public comment period for a study on a management plan for national forest roads in northeastern Nevada.

The plan will designate which roads will be open and closed in the Mountain City, Ruby Mountains and Jarbidge ranger districts.

Agency officials granted the six-month extension at the urging of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev.; Gov. Jim Gibbons; and Elko County commissioners.

The comment deadline on the draft environmental impact statement for the travel management plan had been June 21.

County commission Chairman Charlie Myers hailed the decision, saying it will allow the county to work out various concerns before the plan is approved.

Lawyer Grant Gerber said the county is in a unique position of fighting the travel plan before it's approved. Other counties are going through the appeal process after the fact, he said.

"I'm pleased that you've stuck to your guns to get the six-month extension," Gerber said.

Commissioners generally oppose road closures.

Reid said the comment extension would give county residents adequate time for full participation in the process.

"Extending the public comment period will give the local communities and stakeholders the opportunity to fully understand and provide feedback on the DEIS," he said.

Heller said he's particularly concerned that the travel management plan deems roads closed unless they are posted open.

"This is in direct contravention to Nevada state law and, as such, has the potential to cause confusion among public lands users in Nevada," Heller said.

County commissioners voted Thursday to work with the Forest Service to possibly bring in facilitators to research the biological effects of the travel plan.

A 2005 executive order signed by President George W. Bush requires each national forest to establish a travel plan.